The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Houston Rockets All-Star Yao Ming is the new global spokesman for McDonald's, which let Kobe Bryant's contract expire after he was accused of rape.

Yao's multiyear sponsorship deal was announced Thursday at a McDonald's outlet inside the Los Angeles Convention Center. Yao is in town to play in Sunday's NBA All-Star game.

Bryant's three-year deal with the fast-food company expired Dec. 31. The Los Angeles Lakers guard has lost other sponsors since being charged with sexual assault.

"We had a long, mutually beneficial partnership with Kobe," said Larry Light, McDonald's global chief marketing officer. "His contract expired and we mutually determined under the circumstances it was best to not renew."

Company research showed Yao's attitude and charm are as much a part of his appeal as his athletic ability, Light said.

"Yao has international appeal and also represents the character of our brand," Light said. "He's youthful, dynamic and has a sense of humor. He's also very caring."

Yao will be used in McDonald's global marketing, with an emphasis on physical fitness and activity, Olympic initiatives and support of Ronald McDonald House Charities.

BULLS: Chicago placed Scottie Pippen on the injured list Thursday because of a sore left knee.

Pippen is on the injured list for the second time this season because of knee problems. He has played in 23 of the Bulls' 52 games and had surgery on his knee in December.

The 38-year-old Pippen has been plagued by knee problems the past two seasons. He missed 17 games last season after having surgery on his left knee, returning for Portland's last two regular-season games and the start of the playoffs. He missed three playoff games because of swelling in the knee before returning for the last three games in the Trail Blazers' first-round loss to Dallas last season.

Pippen, who signed a $10 million, two-year contract last summer, is averaging 5.9 points, three rebounds and 2.2 assists this season.